Method for diagnosing multiple sclerosis

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for diagnosing and prognosing multiple sclerosis and more particularly to a method for diagnosing and prognosing multiple sclerosis by measuring levels of antibodies. The levels of IgM-type anti-Glc(α1,2)Glc(α) or Glc(α1,3)Glc(α) or Glc(α1,6)Glc(α) antibodies in serum act as diagnostic markers for MS disease and as prognostic biomarkers for the conversion of CIS patients suggestive of MS to clinically definite MS (CDMS) within 24 months.

1. A method of identifying a subject with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS who is likely to progress to clinically definitive multiple sclerosis (CDMS) within twenty-four months, the method comprising:
 providing a test sample from said subject; 
 detecting in said test sample an anti-Glc (α 1,3) Glc (α) IgM antibody and an anti-Glc (α 1,6) Glc (α) IgM antibody; and 
 comparing the levels of said antibodies in said test sample to a control level of said antibodies, wherein a higher level of said antibodies compared to the control level of said antibodies indicates that said subject is likely to progress to CDMS within twenty-four months. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein a higher level of said antibodies in said test sample compared to the control level of said antibodies indicates said subject is at risk of having a second neurological attack within forty-eight months. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said test sample is whole blood, serum, or plasma. 
     
     
       4. A method of identifying a subject with a clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) suggestive of MS who is likely to progress to clinically definitive multiple sclerosis (CDMS) within twenty-four months, the method comprising:
 providing a test sample from said subject; 
 detecting in said test sample IgM antibodies to a polymer comprising Glc (α 1,3) Glc (α) and Glc (α 1,6) Glc (α) disaccharides, wherein said IgM antibodies are detected using said polymer; and 
 comparing the levels of said antibodies in said test sample to a control sample level of said antibodies, wherein a higher level of said antibodies compared to the control level of said antibodies indicates that said subject is likely to progress to CDMS within twenty-four months. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein a higher level of said antibodies in said test sample compared to the control level of said antibodies indicates said subject is at risk of having a second neurological attack within forty-eight months. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said test sample is whole blood, serum, or plasma.